Lorie Lester

The Upper East Side is upping its fashion cred with the recent opening of Lorie Lester.

The lowdown: The Upper East Side is upping its fashion cred with the recent opening of Lorie Lester. The BoHo chic boutique houses the Miami-based designer’s complete eponymous line and more.

Lester says, “Launched in 2007, I started sewing fun party dresses out of my bedroom. Since then the line has grown to include blouses, skirts, jumpsuits and many pieces that work from a casual date to a night out on the town. The line goes from laidback bohemian to dressed up nightlife. We use a lot of flowy silks, organic knits and stretch cottons. The silhouettes are made to make a woman feel sexy and effortless.”

The ‘hood: Nestled alongside Biscayne Boulevard on the Upper East Side, Lester says, “There aren’t a lot of corporate companies here which gives the neighborhood a sense of local community. We're in very close distance to Downtown, Design District and Wynwood. So that brings in a lot of young, growing talent.”

The ambience: So fresh and so clean. The sun-soaked spot is all white with pops of color. Lester says, “I wanted a space where I could clear my head and come up with new designs everyday.” Zebra prints, antique couch, white-lacquer tables, acrylic chairs and vibrant Miami-themed photographs tie the shop together. Beats by Big Boi and Broken Bells add on to the eclectic mix.

Highlights: Retailing from $80 to $280, each piece is manufactured locally rather than mass-produced overseas to give that special one-of-a-kind quality and to put life back into the dying art of sewing.

Lester all is also pro-Indie lines. “I really want to carry hard-to-find labels and local talents,” she says. Local collections by Beautiful People handbags and Ankora jewelry are also up for grabs. The boutique will also be collaborating with stylist and owner of E & A Vintage Erica Ashley Hecht to bring in some cool vintage finds.

The owner says: What makes the Lorie Lester boutique so unique is that we cut and sew everything in house. If a customer doesn't find her size or likes a style in a different print then we can make it for her. We have our cutting room with fabrics open for customers to see. We like to bring them into the design process. You can make something unique just for you that you won't see someone else wearing,” Lester adds.